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| Hello, I'm ricknaround
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My nationality is United States
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I last logged in on 10 Dec 2008
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I have been a member since 23 Apr 2008
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| I have added
56 posts in trackitt forums
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I added my last post on 10 Dec 2008
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ricknaround's Immigration Cases
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| HSMP Application:
Approved in 140 days (73 days more than average) (36 comments) |
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| User: |
ricknaround |
Applied From: |
United States |
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| Application Filed: |
16 Apr 2008 |
Application Received: |
18 Apr 2008 |
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| Points Claimed: |
85 |
Fee Debited: |
18 Apr 2008 |
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| Reference No. Received: |
25 Apr 2008 |
Reference No.: |
26000* |
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| Application Status: |
approved |
Approval Date: |
05 Sep 2008 |
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| Papers Received: |
13 Sep 2008 |
Nationality: |
United States |
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| Last Updated: |
17 Sep 2008 |
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| Notes: |
Applied for EC through A. Briggs in Los Angeles (they are across from the consulate) and got my EC the SAME DAY! A. Briggs to the rescue :) |
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Topic: EC from US ?
To be honest, I dont think it would matter either way, unless the employment contract states that you are due in the UK to work on a specified date (even then it would be at the discretion of the consulate to speed things up for you). When you are applying for an HSMP/Tier 1, the consulate doesn't require proof of employment, that is, unless they changed that rule since I applied, as I am living in London and working freelance for mostly US clients at the moment. It's all up to you to be economically active, especially if you want to eventually apply for an extension (not to mention you dont get to go on the dole if you arent working ;)). |
Topic: EC from US ?
kiko: great news! Congrats :)
Cambridge: sounds like something wasnt a slam dunk for them to approve, but judging how fast you received it, I doubt that is the case. My guess is that they are backed up with application and instead of having everyone sit and wonder for 15 days why their application hasnt been approved, an email like this would buy them some time to work on others. (just my two cents, sounds like you had everything you needed as long as you sent in the proper visa app you completed along with the other pertinent forms described early in this thread).
Englese: Not sure what you are talking about as far as the country multiplier is concerned. The US is a Band A country, just a straight up calculation is what they are looking for. I went to xe.com and used the exchange rate there to convert my US salary into GBP. That's the number they are after. I also printed out the page from xe.com (that shows the date) to prove what i used as my exchange rate. Does that answer your question?
dparkway: why not try to post your questions here? :) I applied successfully from CA a few months back, so i might be able to help. |
Topic: EC from US ?
I didnt resend anything into the consulate. I included my HSMP approval letter along with the other required documents (states in the beginning of this thread) along with a cover letter explaining my rationale for _everything I included, then hand delivered it to A. Briggs in LA.
I really think that without my cover letter my EC would have been refused. Im not sure if it is still like this, but when I applied, the EC requirements were not really spelled out very well. Instead, they were spread across several different websites and some information seemed to almost contradict other information (both found on official UK gov sites). I think it was because of this letter I wrote, quoting their instructions, that I got a call and email from the consulate telling me I was missing the document I was in fact missing. But I digress....nobody asked about that and Im going on a tangent. I guess I just thought it as something of importance to stress when you apply.
In regards to the delay for HSMP transitional arrangements, your guess is as good as mine. My guess is that, since HSMP no longer exists and Tier 1 does, Home Office has dump most of their resources into Tier 1. The last thing Home Office wants when they make the biggest change in their immigration law in years is for the media to jump on and start doing stories about why it isnt working. With HSMP, the media cant write all they want about it, but they wont, it's over (and hence, we who applied were just unlucky).
Kiko, I totally remember the waiting, it was excruciating and cost me lots of money (and probably a some hair from the stress). That really sucks that your EC app seems to have been lost in the pile in chicago....at least they said they are working on it now (and if thats true, it should be done _tomorrow). Keep your head up! I can assure you, although its effing cold here in London right now, I guarantee you've got it FAR worse in chicago ;) It will essentially be summer for you when you arrive by comparison! (Today was sunny with a high of 41ºF). |
Topic: EC from US ?
Hey Cityman,
Thats a very good question! I think the answer (although I havent looked it up) is that you only need the maintenance funds for those currently applying for EC. When you/she applies for entry clearance in a few months, she will need to make her own application (at which time you can show the maintenance funds). |
Topic: EC from US ?
geeez, unbelievable that your EC hasnt been cleared yet Kiko. I was looking on the site and read that you should contact the visa office you submitted your application to as "they are responsible at all times for any queries relating to the payment and status of your application."
It goes on to say, "if you have already contacted the location (and the problem wasnt resolved), contact us." Can you not call the embassy and ask if, perhaps, your application was lost? You submitted through A.Briggs, right? What advice have they given you? You can also always try visa4uk's web-form contact. Hooray for customer service.
This sounds a bit strange, but have you tried contacting Home Office regarding this? |
Topic: EC from US ?
sent! :) |
Topic: EC from US ?
I actually kind of liked the fact that A Briggs gave me some advice. This is something they do day in and day out, needless to say they knew a heck of a lot more than I did about what was expected and what helps applications along (since they see day in and day out the applications getting approved or denied). But alas, you are right, they are simply a company that has a fast track to the "top of the pile" if you will, so you have to take the advice with a grain of salt (but I dont think anything they tell you to ad would decrease your chances of a speed EC, the case workers at the consulate know what to look for, Im sure).
When I originally called A Briggs to see if they could help me, I spoke to a UK visa expert in the main A Briggs office (i think that was DC?) and she actually had a lot of helpful information. It was such a relief to actually be able to ask a question and get an answer (and a correct one at that) after dealing with World Bridge (who were absolutely worthless for me).
Anyhow, best of luck Kiko. Hang in there, im sure the consulate will be calling you soon! |
Topic: EC from US ?
Congrats Pat! Bring your jacket, it starting to get cold here in London :) |
Topic: EC from US ?
Vexa:
I believe that 3 years is not based on when your visa was issued, rather when your passport was first stamped (ie, when you actually _enter the UK). ;) If you think about it, people probably have to start the application for PR more than 28 days before their extension expires (considering how overworked everyone at Home Office is).
Anyhow, let's try and keep this thread on topic if we can, people with questions about apply for EC from the US :) Maybe we can start another thread about PR questions. |
Topic: EC from US ?
I wasnt on a visa in the US (Im a US citizen), but I did use A Briggs and got my visa back the same day it was submitted. Judging by what they told me when I was at A Briggs in LA, they dont have a 100% guarantee that things will be that fast as it is also dependent on the workload at the embassy, but just like any other visa expediting service, they have a fast track to the top of the pile (if there is a pile). |
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